Photo-collage by Marvin Boland of photographs that he took at the First Annual Rotary Fair held on October 31, 1919. This industrial fair for Rotary Club members and friends featured 150 exhibits promoting local professions and businesses. It was held in Stadium High School's gymnasium where the slogan of the fair was "Rotarians, Buy at Home." Because the fair was so successful, mention was made that a larger exhibition might be held later for the general public. Dr. H. J. Whitacre was the Rotary president at that time. (TDL 10-17-19, p. 3-article; TDL 10-31-19, p. 1-article)

Rotary Fair (Tacoma); Exhibits--Tacoma--1910-1920;

On March 1, 1933 at around noon, a convoy of unemployed demonstrators, under the banner of the "United Front," passed through Tacoma on their way to Olympia. The Seattle leaders of the group planned the march to Olympia to present the problems of the unemployed to the State Legislature. The groups of marchers, in trucks and automobiles, were met at the Tacoma city limits by motorcycle officers who escorted them through the city. Once in Olympia the group, estimated to contain 2,000 persons, was denied entrance to the city. They camped in the rain at Priest Point Park on the outskirts of Olympia. They were denied the permit for a demonstration at the Capital, but a group of 20 was allowed to meet with Governor Clarence D. Martin and present their demands for jobless insurance and a cash dole. Governor Martin gave them an audience but declined their demands. The group peacefully returned to their homes. (TNT 3/1/33, pg. 1; 3/2/33, pg.1; 3/3/33, pg. 5; TDL 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 1)

Demonstrations--1930-1940; Activists; Protest movements--1930-1940; Unemployment--Wash.--1930-1940; Unemployed--Wash.--1930-1940; Depressions--1929;

On March 1, 1933 at around 12 noon, a convoy of trucks and automobiles carried unemployed demonstrators through Tacoma on their way to Olympia. Here they are pictured passing on Tacoma Ave. South in front of the Tacoma Public Library (now known as the TPL Carnegie Building.) The Seattle planners of the march planned to descend on the Capital and present their demands for jobless insurance and a cash dole to the State Legislature. The main section of around 150 vehicles passed through Tacoma without trouble or disturbance, but they were met outside Olympia by police and state patrol and denied access to the city. The protestors, estimated at 2,000, camped at Priest Point Park on the outskirts of Olympia. They were denied a permit for a demonstration at the Capital. A committee of 20 met with Governor Clarence D. Martin who declined their demands. They were then asked to return home, which they did peacefully. (TNT 3/1/33, pg.1; 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 5; TDL 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 1)

Demonstrations--1930-1940; Activists; Protest movements--1930-1940; Unemployment--Wash.--1930-1940; Unemployed--Wash.--1930-1940; Depressions--1929;

ca. 1922. Western Washington Fair. Buckley girls holding flags. B---22, TPL-6338

Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Flags--United States;

ca. 1919. Farmers, fruit growers and breeders of the Puyallup valley held an enthusiastic meeting on June 2, 1900, and formed the Valley Fair Association. Members changed the name to the Western Washington Fair Association on January 13, 1913. The purpose of the fair was to promote agricultural, horticultural, dairying, stock-raising and manufacturing industries of the valley. In this 1919 photograph, people in the small hamlets of Dieringer, Rhodes Lake, Connell's Prairie, and Milton exhibit their wares at the fair. Boland #B2321,

Fairs; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Exhibitions; Home food processing; Sewing--Puyallup; Art exhibitions;

Soldiers from the 148th Field Artillery, Fort Lewis on horseback in the 1931 Tacoma 4th of July Parade. The parade is heading south on Pacific Ave. Stores and shops on the west side of Pacific in the 1100 block can be seen in the background. TPL-7091

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Soldiers--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Parade marching north on Broadway. Group of U. S. Army soldiers, in uniform, are at the corner of 9th and Broadway. They are being followed by group of men from the U. S. Navy in their dress whites. Buildings include: Pantages Theater, Illington Hotel. Sign hangs from corner building for Malstom's Drugs. TPL-7060

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pantages Theater (Tacoma)

Young band members sit in a long truck that is decorated with bunting and an American flag. There is a streetcar next to the truck. Photograph was taken on Pacific Ave. Shaw Supply Co. sign in background. TPL-7061

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Ezra Meeker, with long white beard and cane, at the Western Washington Fair on September 17, 1926. Mr. Meeker was taking part in the celebration of Pioneer Day at the Western Washington Fairgrounds. Earlier that day, a bronze statue was dedicated in his honor at Pioneer Park in Puyallup. The Northwest pioneer had platted Puyallup in 1877 and established hop fields that would bring the hops trade to world prominence. TPL-7086

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Meeker, Ezra, 1830-1928; Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930;

When the Olympic Ice Cream Co. scheduled the Grand Opening of their new plant on May 26, 1924 with "everybody welcome," they didn't expect everybody to show up. The May 27, 1924 News Tribune carried an apology to the "thousands" who were unable to get into the building and the "thousands" admitted to the plant at 613-17 E. 25th St. who were unable to tour the modern sanitary plant due to the crowds. The plant would be jointly occupied by Olympic and the Velvet Kind Ice Cream Co. The Grand Opening promised souvenirs and refreshments. The building has since been demolished. (TNT 5/27/1924, pg. 4) G34.1-139

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Olympic Ice Cream Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dairy products industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A huge, predominantly male crowd on the Point Defiance deck and boat launch watches intently at the parade of beauties in the Tacoma Yacht Club Bathing Girl Revue on the 4th of July, 1924. Two intrepid young men have even climbed onto the rooftop of the Point Defiance Pavilion in order to get a better look. A day at the park back then still meant that gentlemen wore jackets, ties, straw hats or caps and women in dresses and hats. A policeman is in the foreground, presumably to keep order, but his attention appears focused on the lovely ladies on parade below. TPL-1454

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Point Defiance Pavilion (Tacoma);

On September 18, 1924, Nalley's showcased a variety of products at the South Tacoma Fair. Their exhibition booth with large sign "If It's Nalley's It's Good" offered samples of the large Nalley's menu. Nalley's manufactured mayonaise, salad dressing, sandwich spreads, honey, syrups, and their well known potato chips. The third annual South Tacoma (Community) Fair was held from September 15-20 in the DeLuxe Motor Building, 5622-26 Union Ave. (later known as South Tacoma Way) 25,000 people were expected to attend to view the more than 65 booths featuring local products and businesses. The fair was held to advertise the community of South Tacoma and its merchants and products. TPL-2798 (TNT 9-10-24, p. 14-15-article)

Exhibit booths--Tacoma; South Tacoma Fair (Tacoma); Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

The first real "egg machine" ever displayed on the Pacific Coast drew lines of interested Western Washington fairgoers on October 2, 1924, Egg Day at the fair. Visitors were encouraged to take a free peek at the "most wonderful mechanism in all the world." No one appeared disappointed in discovering the secret behind the enclosed stand: the remarkable "egg machine" was a Leghorn hen on her nest. The "egg machine" was on display at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup from September 29 to October 5, 1924. G74.1-079 (print has been damaged) (TNT 10-3-24, p. 15)

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Puyallup--1920-1930;

The Federated Improvement Clubs were "United for a Bigger and Better Tacoma" according to their entry in the 1925 Fourth of July parade. These clubs sought to not only improve their own neighborhoods but to boost the city as a whole. Clubs included the Union & 6th Ave. Club, Clement Ave. Club, Portland Ave. Club, and others throughout the city. Their vehicle, accompanied by a large wheel listing 32 clubs, was parked outside the Tacoma Hotel Annex.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Federated Improvement Clubs (Tacoma);

Bellingham Elks on parade. Bellingham Lodge #194 sent a large contingent, including former state president H.H. Griggs, to the 14th annual Elks statewide convention held in Tacoma in mid-August, 1918. They participated in the Grand Parade held on Friday afternoon, August 16th. With thousands of Elks and several bands participating, the News Tribune stated that it was the largest fraternal parade ever held in Tacoma. Many of the lodges carried service flags indicating the large numbers of their members now fighting in the Great War. The parade marched downtown past the Tacoma Elks Lodge No. 174 on Broadway. TPL-7168 (TNT 8-16-18, p. 1) G20.1-028

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Bellingham Lodge No. 194 (Bellingham); Marching bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Officers Training School Banquet at Commercial Club. The young officers may have been celebrating the conclusion of their training at this banquet held in August of 1918 at the Tacoma Commercial Club. 243 had graduated from the 4th officers training camp on August 24th at Camp Lewis. The officers had come from nearly every western state, with California having the largest number of graduates. G70.1-011 (TNT 8-24-18, p. 3-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1910-1920; Military officers--Tacoma--1910-1920;

This truck, adorned with large American flags, was believed to have participated in the 1918 Labor Day parade that swung through Tacoma's downtown streets on September 2nd. It carried an unidentified well-dressed man holding what may have been sheets of paper containing stamps. Signs urged people to buy US savings stamps to support the war. 18,000 workmen carried American flags, allied banners and union banners in what organizers believed was the largest Labor Day parade to date. (TDL 9-2-18, p. 1-article; TDL 9-3-18, p. 1-article)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920; Signs (Notices); Flags--United States;

Gig Harbor Fair. This is a sample of the garden exhibits at the 1925 Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair). Flowers, fruits and vegetables were neatly displayed as well as an exhibit of chickens. Signs posted at the rear indicated that the Puyallup Fair was soon to be held from September 21-27th. TPL-193; G72.1-160; G72.1-128

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Agricultural exhibits--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Signs (Notices);

Gig Harbor Fair. The Warren Improvement Club had an impressive assortment of fruits, vegetables and canned items on display at the 1925 Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair) . Long shelves were filled with exhibited produce. TPL-692; G72.1-131

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Agricultural exhibits--Gig Harbor--1920-1930;

4th annual Gig Harbor Fair. The Rosedale community had created a display packed with a variety of fruits and vegetables for the 1925 Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair). It reminded all that the friendly community of "Rosedale Always Has A Welcome." Rosedale, on Lay Inlet off Henderson Bay west of Gig Harbor, had been named in 1883 by W.E. White for the many roses that grew around the inlet. G72.1-148

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Agricultural exhibits--Gig Harbor--1920-1930;

Gig Harbor Fair. An exhibit of caged poultry is highlighted by a painting or drawing of a chicken ranch set on grassy lawns with neighboring pond. These chickens were on display at the Gig Harbor Fair (Peninsula Fair) held from September 11-13, 1925. The poultry division attracted great attention as poultry raising was one of the largest industries in the peninsula. Signs placed nearby advertise the upcoming Western Washington Fair starting on September 21st. TPL-689; G72.1-128; G72.1-160 (TNT 9-10-25, p. 26-article)

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Chickens--Gig Harbor; Poultry--Gig Harbor;

Egg exhibit. Oscar H. Swanson and an unidentified man are posed beside the egg exhibit at the 1925 Gig Harbor (Peninsula) Fair. Mr. Swanson (at left) was the founder of the Gig Harbor Washington Co-operative Association. Cartons and boxes of eggs are on display as well as two posters filled with information regarding the exacting standards these eggs are held to. The exhibit was sponsored by the Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Association. The poultry division attracted great attention during the three day fair which ran from September 11-13, 1925. The area shipped several carloads of eggs and chickens each month, making it one of the largest industries in the mostly rural community. (TNT 9-10-25, p. 26-article)

Gig Harbor Fair (Gig Harbor); Fairs--Gig Harbor--1920-1930; Eggs; Signs (Notices); Swanson, Oscar H.;

The American Barred Plymouth Rock Club held a banquet at the Tacoma Hotel, 913 A Street, on December 5, 1925. Barred Plymouth Rocks were excellent producers of eggs and meat. The breed was generally known as good general farm chickens and their owners, like those pictured above, could be assured of docility, hardiness and broodiness in their flocks. Members of the club had participated in the annual Tacoma poultry show put on by the Tacoma Poultry Association and held December 1-6, 1925, the same time as the national Barred Plymouth Rock exhibition. This was the first time that the national meet had been staged west of Omaha. Attendance at the poultry show had broken previous local records with the News Tribune reporting daily on activities and awards. Cleve Stout of Anglum, Missouri, was elected president of the American Barred Plymouth Rock Assn. in a business meeting held after the banquet. G6.1-097; G31.1-001 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-18-25, G-10-article; TNT 12-5-25, p. 5-article; TNT 12-7-25, p. 4-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; American Barred Plymouth Rock Club (Tacoma); Poultry industry--Tacoma;

1926 Western Washington Fair. The Washington Egg & Poultry Co-operative Assn. sponsored a large exhibit at the 1926 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup. Staffed by association members, the booth was filed with information charts and posters, pamplets and even boxes of eggs. G6.1-098

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Exhibit booths--Puyallup; Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma);

This view of the grandstand at the Western Washington Fair was taken from across the track on September 19, 1926. The stands are packed with spectators including those lucky enough to have track-side seating. The Puyallup Fair in 1926 ran from September 13-19th. G74.1-074

Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930; Grandstands--Puyallup; Spectators--Puyallup;

1926 Western Washington Fair. This view, taken on September 19, the last day of the 1926 fair, is of an Acme Transfer & Storage Co. truck in the foreground with the fair's Grandstand and barns in the rear. Acme Transfer & Storage was a local Tacoma firm headquartered at 901 Tacoma Avenue South that was operated by Fred L. Sheldon. The truck is plastered at least on the one side showing with signage indicating the types of jobs accepted. G74.1-073; TPL-6343

Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Grandstands--Puyallup; Barns--Puyallup; Trucks--Puyallup--1920-1930; Acme Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma);

Minstrels on stage. On February 9, 1928, local poultry co-ops entertained its members with a minstrel show at American Lake. Entitled "Good Will Minstrels," most of the group wore the traditional blackened faces and colorful clothing. Entertainers were equipped with guitars, mandolins, while the non-costumed band supplied the brass. Identified on stage were President C.C. Davis and Secretary McDrum of the American Lake Poultry Local (on left) and Mrs. E.W. Rau, secretary, and President A.F. Visell of the Parkland Poultry Local (on far right). G64.1-049

Minstrel shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1920-1930;

An impressive parade took place in Tacoma on the first Memorial Day following the end of the Great War, May 30, 1919. Veterans from the Civil, Spanish American and Great War (WWI) were represented with local Boy Scouts marching as the fourth generation. Bringing up the rear of the parade was the pictured decorated automobile entered by the War Camp Community Service. It was covered with frilled crepe paper and topped with a parasol. The War Camp Community Service was formed in 1917 at the request of the War Department. Its primary responsibility was to organize recreational and social activities in communities where servicemen and women might spend off duty time. G20.1-029 (TDL 5/31/1919, pg. 1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920; Memorial Day; Commemoration--Tacoma; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; War Camp Community Service (Tacoma);

At 10 a.m. on a clear July 4th morning in 1919, the most elaborate Independence Day parade in years got underway. Thousands watched the 45 minute spectacle, part of the Northwest Peace Jubilee celebration. In the fourth division, industrial, was this pictured float entered by the Walker Cut Stone Co. of Tacoma. A General Motors 5 ton chassis carried a 6 1/2 block of carved Wilkeson Sandstone. The stone was elaborately carved and designed for the "Temple of Justice" in Olympia, Wa. The float banner stated that 142 carloads were used in the construction of the Temple, at Cherry Lane and 12th Ave. in Olympia, which houses the State Supreme Court. The structure was completed in 1920. The GMC truck was loaned by Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. to Bob Walker, at the wheel of the vehicle. Wilkeson Sandstone is named for the small mountain town of Wilkeson, in the Cascade range, where it is quarried. The 1919 City Directory lists A.J. Griesemer as President, Robert Walker as Sec-treas., and 1008 Puyallup Ave as the location of the office and yard of Walker Cut Stone. (TDL 7/5/1919, pg. 1; TDL 7/13/1919, pg. 6C- picture) G33.1-114, TPL-2244

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1910-1920; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1910-1920; Walker Cut Stone Co. (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1910-1920; General Motors trucks;

One of the large exhibits at the 1929 Western Washington Fair in Puyallup was the sixth International Egg Show. Four unidentified men in business attire stand next to rows of egg-filled cartons. Helpful hints for the consumer regarding egg freshness and cleanliness were posted as well as other information on a chalkboard. G74.1-060

Exhibitions--Puyallup--1920-1930; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Eggs;